KINGSPORT, Tenn. – Campbellsville University rallied once again Saturday to erase a two-run deficit but fell to Cumberland University, 4-3, in extra innings of the Mid-South Conference Softball Tournament winners' bracket semifinal at Domtar Park.
Brooke Boils singled with one out in the bottom of the seventh, followed by a bunt single by Kacie Vincent that landed on the third base bag to put two on for the Lady Tigers. Emma Napier grounded out but advanced the runners to set up a two-RBI single for Shelby Ray, tying it up, 3-3.
Cumberland answered in similar fashion, delivering a pair of one-out singles to move runners to second and third. Kelsi Pardue entered to relieve Lady Tiger starter Victoria Decker and struck out one before Emily Nicholson battled 1-2 count and single in Amber Mayne for the eventual winning run.
Courtney Maynard retired Campbellsville in order in the bottom of the eighth to advance Cumberland to the winner's bracket final.
Cumberland took a 1-0 run in the first after Natale Garcia doubled to start the game and scored on a single by Allison Blackwood. The lead grew to 3-0 in the third after Garcia delivered a one-out double, followed by a Megan Lavery single. Blackwood drove in both runners with another single, giving her a nice cushion as the Bulldogs' starting pitcher.
Blackwood allowed only two hits through 2 1/3 shutout innings before exiting the game in the bottom of the third with an injury. Caroline Curran (7-3) took over to finish the third and recorded the win with 4 2/3 innings of work, allowing three runs on five hits. Maynard recorded the save in the eighth.
Campbellsville scored its first run in the bottom of the fourth on a two-out, solo home run by Taylor Borders.
Garcia, Blackwood, Lavery and Nicholson each had two hits in the game for Cumberland, as did Jessica Roper and Kacy Hobs.
Boils and Vincent were both perfect from the plate in the game, going 3-for-3 and 2-for-2, respectively.
Campbellsville (38-14) will meet Shawnee State University (25-15) in the losers' bracket Sunday morning at 10 a.m. EDT, while Cumberland University (35-18) will play Lindsey Wilson (45-7) at 1 p.m. EDT.
